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A trademark opposition proceeding can be commenced by anyone with a legitimate interest in the registration of a pending trademark. A trademark opposition lawyer can help.
Copyright Laws for Art
COPYRIGHT LAWS FOR ART Copyright laws are a cornerstone of intellectual property (IP) rights, designed to protect the original creations of artists, writers, and other creators. In the art world, copyright serves as a legal framework that ensures artists retain control over their work while providing mechanisms for licensing, reproduction, and enforcement. For law firms specializing in IP law, understanding and effectively navigating the nuances of copyright laws for art is essential to advising clients…
Navigating Trademark Applications for Hemp and CBD Products in the USA
NAVIGATING TRADEMARK APPLICATIONS FOR HEMP AND CBD PRODUCTS IN THE USA The cannabis industry, particularly the hemp and CBD market, has seen exponential growth since the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. This legislation legalized hemp and its derivatives under federal law, provided they contain less than 0.3% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). With hemp now legal, businesses have been eager to establish their brands in this lucrative sector, creating a flood of applications for trademarks to…
Disadvantages of Descriptive Trademarks
THE DISADVANTAGES OF DESCRIPTIVE TRADEMARKS: A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS Introduction Trademarks serve a vital role in the marketplace by distinguishing the goods or services of one business from those of another. They help build brand recognition and consumer trust, making them essential to both small businesses and large corporations. However, not all trademarks are created equal. One of the most commonly misunderstood categories of trademarks is the descriptive trademark. While descriptive trademarks may seem appealing due…
Acceptable Trademark Specimens
UNDERSTANDING ACCEPTABLE TRADEMARK SPECIMENS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE A trademark serves as a unique identifier that distinguishes the goods or services of one entity from those of another. In the process of registering a trademark, one crucial requirement is providing a trademark specimen, which demonstrates actual use of the mark in commerce. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as well as trademark offices worldwide, require this specimen to prove that the trademark is actively…
A Detailed Overview of the Supplemental Register
A DETAILED OVERVIEW OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER Introduction The Supplemental Register is a lesser-known yet crucial component of the U.S. trademark system. It serves as a secondary register, offering certain benefits to trademarks that may not qualify for the Principal Register. Understanding the Supplemental Register is essential for businesses, legal practitioners, and brand owners who seek to protect their trademarks, especially those marks that are descriptive or lack distinctiveness at the time of application.…
CO-OWNERSHIP OF TRADEMARKS
CO-OWNERSHIP OF TRADEMARKS: LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND CHALLENGES Co-ownership of trademarks in the United States presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Trademarks, which serve as symbols of a company’s brand identity, are often considered the most valuable assets a business can own. When more than one party shares ownership of a trademark, the legal landscape becomes significantly more complex. Understanding the implications, benefits, and potential pitfalls of co-owning a trademark is crucial for…
Key Evidence Considerations in TTAB Cases
ESSENTIAL EVIDENCE ELEMENTS IN TTAB CASES Introduction The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) is a pivotal administrative tribunal within the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), tasked with adjudicating various trademark-related disputes. These disputes typically involve opposition to the registration of trademarks, petitions to cancel registered marks, and appeals concerning the refusal of trademark applications. Given the crucial role that trademarks play in protecting brand identity and ensuring market differentiation, the…
Landmark TTAB Decision: Impact on Trademark Law and Implications for Applicants and Registrants
SIGNIFICANT TTAB RULING: EFFECTS ON TRADEMARK LAW AND CONSEQUENCES FOR APPLICANTS AND REGISTRANTS Introduction The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) plays a critical role in the U.S. trademark system, serving as the forum for the resolution of disputes concerning the registration of trademarks. While the TTAB’s decisions are often highly specialized, certain landmark rulings have far-reaching implications, reshaping the landscape of trademark law and influencing how trademarks are protected and enforced in the…
Who can file an opposition to a trademark application before the TTAB?
INTRODUCTION TO TRADEMARK OPPOSITION BEFORE THE TTAB The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides a mechanism for interested parties to oppose the registration of a trademark through proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB). The TTAB is an administrative body responsible for adjudicating disputes related to trademark applications and registrations, including oppositions, cancellations, and concurrent use proceedings. Trademark opposition is a critical part of maintaining the integrity of the trademark register,…
Grounds For Trademark Opposition
THE ESSENTIAL CONCEPT BEHIND TRADEMARK OPPOSITIONS When opposing a trademark application, several key grounds can be cited to challenge the registration. One of the most common reasons is the likelihood of confusion, which occurs when the proposed trademark is too similar to an existing one, potentially misleading consumers about the origin of goods or services. Other grounds include descriptiveness, where the mark merely describes the product or service, and lack of distinctiveness, meaning the trademark…
Appeals of TTAB Decisions
Appeals of TTAB Decisions (an overview) The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) is an administrative body within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that handles cases involving trademark registration. When the TTAB makes a decision, the involved parties may have the option to appeal that decision if they disagree with the outcome. Here’s an overview of the process and options available for appealing TTAB decisions: TTAB Decisions Overview The TTAB issues decisions on…
Motion for summary judgment in Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB)
What is motion for summary judgment in Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB)? Motion for summary judgment in Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) A motion for summary judgment in a Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) proceeding is a formal request made by one party asking the Board to decide the case, or specific issues within the case, without going to trial. The party filing the motion argues that there are no genuine disputes…
What is the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board?
TRADEMARK TRIAL APPEAL BOARD (TTAB) – OVERVIEW The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) is an administrative body within the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). It is responsible for adjudicating disputes related to trademark applications and registrations. The TTAB operates under the authority of the USPTO and handles several types of proceedings, including: Trademark Opposition Proceedings: These occur when a party opposes the registration of a trademark. The opposing party may believe that…
Complete Guide to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB)
Complete Guide to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) Overview The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) is an administrative body within the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). It handles specific types of cases involving trademarks, primarily focusing on the legal issues surrounding the registration of trademarks. The TTAB’s primary functions include adjudicating appeals of trademark registration refusals, and resolving oppositions to the registration of trademarks and petitions to cancel registrations of…
UNDERSTANDING TRADE DRESS BASICS
Understanding Trade Dress and Product Design Protection in the Context of Trademark Law Trade dress refers to the visual appearance of a product or its packaging that signifies the source of the product to consumers. In the context of protecting packaging designs, trade dress includes the overall look and feel of the packaging, which can encompass features such as size, shape, color, texture, graphics, and even particular sales techniques. Key Aspects of Trade Dress: Source…
TTAB DISCOVERY CONFERENCE
Understanding the TTAB Discovery Conference and Why It Matters During a Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) discovery conference, the parties involved typically discuss various aspects related to the discovery process in the trademark dispute. The purpose of the conference is to streamline the discovery process, resolve any disputes regarding discovery, and establish guidelines for conducting discovery efficiently. Here are some key points that may be discussed during a TTAB discovery conference: Scope of Discovery:…
Copyright Application Forms: A Step-By-Step Guide 2023
Trademark Oppositions and Cancellations are very serious matters indeed whose procedural dictates must be followed to the letter. Here’s What you Need to Know
TRADEMARK LAWYER NEAR ME
Trademark Oppositions and Cancellations are very serious matters indeed whose procedural dictates must be followed to the letter. Here’s What you Need to Know
Trademark Infringement Damages: The Complete Guide
Trademark Oppositions and Cancellations are very serious matters indeed whose procedural dictates must be followed to the letter. Here’s What you Need to Know
TRADEMARK OPPOSITIONS: STRATEGIES TO WIN
Trademark Oppositions and Cancellations are very serious matters indeed whose procedural dictates must be followed to the letter. Here’s What you Need to Know
Why Is Branding Important For A Business? Because your Trademark is Everything
Use in Commerce is defined in Section 45 of the Trademark Act as a “Bona Fide Use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade.” What is “Bona Fide Use”? Keep Reading to Find Out
Should I File a Multi-Class Federal Trademark Application?
Use in Commerce is defined in Section 45 of the Trademark Act as a “Bona Fide Use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade.” What is “Bona Fide Use”? Keep Reading to Find Out
Can I Register a Suggestive Trademark With the USPTO?
Use in Commerce is defined in Section 45 of the Trademark Act as a “Bona Fide Use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade.” What is “Bona Fide Use”? Keep Reading to Find Out
What is the Post Registration Audit Program?
Use in Commerce is defined in Section 45 of the Trademark Act as a “Bona Fide Use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade.” What is “Bona Fide Use”? Keep Reading to Find Out
What is the Role of a Trademark Examining Attorney?
Use in Commerce is defined in Section 45 of the Trademark Act as a “Bona Fide Use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade.” What is “Bona Fide Use”? Keep Reading to Find Out
Who Should Be Listed as the Applicant When Applying for a Trademark?
Use in Commerce is defined in Section 45 of the Trademark Act as a “Bona Fide Use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade.” What is “Bona Fide Use”? Keep Reading to Find Out
How to Trademark a Clothing Brand Name
Use in Commerce is defined in Section 45 of the Trademark Act as a “Bona Fide Use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade.” What is “Bona Fide Use”? Keep Reading to Find Out
HOW TO REGISTER A TRADEMARK IN CANADA: A COMPLETE GUIDE 2021
A Step-by-Step Guide to filing a Canadian Trademark Application with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), from beginning to end. Our trademark attorneys are here to help.
Universal Symbols: Obtaining Trademark Rights
Universal trademark symbols that don’t serve as source identifiers are not eligible for trademark registration. Speak with a trademark attorney to determine if your trademark is eligible for TM protection
Likelihood of Confusion Factors: Trademark Law
The Likelihood of Confusion Factors which determine Trademark Infringement is based on the Dupont Factors. Speak to one of our Trademark Lawyers to learn more.
HOW TO TRADEMARK A LOGO IN 2023
The cost to register a trademark is determined by the Gov. filing fees ($275/CL or $225/CL) and the Service fee to manage, search, draft and file the trademark application
TRADEMARK OPPOSITION PROCEEDINGS: PRE-TRIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Trademark Oppositions and Cancellations are very serious matters indeed whose procedural dictates must be followed to the letter. Here’s What you Need to Know
CEASE AND DESIST LETTER COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
Copyright law covers “original works of authorship” – If someone has stolen or reproduced your work without your permission, sending a cease and desist letter is the first step
Trademark Opposition Process: A Complete Procedural Guide to the TTAB
Trademark Opposition Process: A Complete Procedural Guide to the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB Oppositions) written by trademark attorneys.
TRADEMARKS FOR CBD DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS? THE TTAB SAYS NOT SO FAST
A complete guide to Trademark Counterfeiting. This article covers how to identify it and what you can do about it.
TRADEMARK COUNTERFEITING
A complete guide to Trademark Counterfeiting. This article covers how to identify it and what you can do about it.
UNDERSTANDING TRADEMARK LETTERS OF PROTEST AND HOW TO FILE THEM
Trademark Letters of Protest are an Opposer’s first chance to block the registration of a New Trademark Application. Here’s Everything You need to Know.
INCONSTESTABLE TRADEMARKS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you suspect that someone is Cybersquatting on your Domain Name, File a UDRP Complaint and have the Domain Name transferred to you.
USPTO Wages War Against Fraud with New Trademark Audit Program
If you suspect that someone is Cybersquatting on your Domain Name, File a UDRP Complaint and have the Domain Name transferred to you.
How to File a UDRP Complaint: Domain Name Disputes
If you suspect that someone is Cybersquatting on your Domain Name, File a UDRP Complaint and have the Domain Name transferred to you.
Do I Need A Lawyer to Register a U.S. Trademark
Do I Need an Attorney to File a Trademark Application in the US? Well, Maybe. If you are a foreign applicant you are required an attorney by law. If you are a US Citizen, your life will be much easier with the help of a trademark lawyer.
TRADEMARK MANAGEMENT GROUP SCAMS: HOW TO IDENTIFY AND AVOID THEM
The cost to register a trademark is determined by the Gov. filing fees ($275/CL or $225/CL) and the Service fee to manage, search, draft and file the trademark application
How Much Does It Really Cost to Register a Trademark? UPDATED 2023
The cost to register a trademark is determined by the Gov. filing fees ($275/CL or $225/CL) and the Service fee to manage, search, draft and file the trademark application
TRADEMARK SUPPLEMENTAL REGISTER: A COMPLETE GUIDE
The Supplemental Register is a second-tier, Trademark Register, for trademarks that are rejected from the Principal Register due to Merely Descriptive issues.
Trademark Symbols (®), TM, SM – A Complete Guide
The three symbols that are most commonly associated with trademarks: Circle R (®), TM, and SM. Depending on the goods/services sold and the status of the trademark application with the USPTO, one or more of these marks may be appropriate.
Claiming Color in a Trademark Application
Logos are artistic illustrations that are presented in either color or black/white form. If a trademark applicant wants to trademark the color of a logo, the application must reflect the designated colors.
How to File a Trademark in 2020: New USPTO Filing Rules
The USPTO has instituted a series of new rules, designed to make the trademark application process more expedient and uniform. These rules officially took effect in February of 2020.
Trademark Disclaimers: Understanding The Fundamentals
If part of a trademark is distinct but a different part is descriptive/generic, the applicant will need to provide a “Disclaimer” on the non-distinct aspect of the mark.
Geographic Trademarks: Can I Trademark the Name of a Place?
Geographic trademarks may or may not be permissible depending on a number of considerations. This article will delve a bit deeper into the legal framework of Geographic Trademarks and when/how they may be permissible.
Trademark Abandonment and the Loss of Trademark Rights
A trademark can last forever, as long as the mark is used in commerce but if a trademark holder no longer uses the trademark, or fails to enforce his/her trademark rights, he may lose his trademark rights.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Trademark?
The total time for a Trademark Application to be processed, from beginning to end, should hopefully not take more than a year. BUT trademark rights are retroactive to the date of the filing. File as soon as possible!
Request to Divide a Trademark Application: The How and Why
Fundamentally, Dividing a trademark application removes, but does not eliminate, the designated portion of the application and assigns it to an entirely new trademark application.
Descriptive Trademarks: Everything You Need to Know
A Descriptive Trademark describes the purpose or function of the goods/services sold under the trademark and is ineligible protection on the Principal Register
Trade Dress Functionality Doctrine: Here’s What you Need to Know
Trade Dress contemplates the general appearance of a product including not only the design of the product but also its packaging. Color, texture, shape, scent, or even flavor can all be components of trade dress.
Dates Of Use In Trademark Filling Applications and Enforcement Actions
Interested in how Common Law trademark rights are evolving in the age of the internet? Keep reading to find out.
How to Request an Extension for a Trademark’s Statement Of Use
Interested in how Common Law trademark rights are evolving in the age of the internet? Keep reading to find out.
Common Law Trademark Rights and the Internet
Interested in how Common Law trademark rights are evolving in the age of the internet? Keep reading to find out.
File a US Trademark Application based on a Foreign trademark Application: Section 44(d) and Section 44(e)
US Trademark Applications Based on Foreign Trademark Applications or Registrations. Here’s Everything You Need to Know.
Trademark Use in Commerce – Here’s How It Works
Use in Commerce is defined in Section 45 of the Trademark Act as a “Bona Fide Use of a trademark in the ordinary course of trade.” What is “Bona Fide Use”? Keep Reading to Find Out
Trademark Cancellation Proceedings: A Complete Guide
If your Trademark application has been rejected by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office due to an existing trademark, you may consider filing a petition for cancellation of the cited trademark
How to Trademark Acronyms and Abbreviations
To qualify for trademark protection, the acronym, abbreviations or initials must not be descriptive and consumers must not be able to recognize them as synonymous with a particular product.
Trademark Co-Existence Agreements: Here’s How They Work
When two different trademarks are identical – or even similar – the owners of the trademarks may enter into a co-existence agreement. Here’s What You Need to Know
How Does An Applicant Prove A Bona Fide Intent To Use A Trademark?
Five statutory bases are available to an Applicant when filing a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Establishing Bona Fide Intent to Use the trademark commercially and to link the trademark with particular goods and services is one statutory basis that may be satisfied for a trademark application to be submitted.
Understanding the Difference Between Standard Character Trademarks and Special Format Trademarks
Trademark applications fundamentally allow an applicant to apply for one of two types of “Trademarks” (although sound/motion marks are also available); A standard character, or a word trademark and a special format trademark, or what is commonly referred to as a Design trademark.
USPTO Trademark Applications: Here’s How to Fill Them Out Correctly
A successful trademark application must fulfill the statutory requirements for at least one of the five bases for a trademark to be granted by the Unites States Patent & Trademark Office. Many trademark applicants choose to file a Trademark Electronic Application System Plus (TEAS) application since the filing fee is reduced to just $275.00 per International Classification. In addition to paying the filing fee, the application must satisfy the bases requirements in effect at the time of filing.
Trademark Cease and Desist Letters – The Complete Guide
Trademark Cease and Desist letters elicit wildly different mental and emotional reactions, depending on whether you are on the sending or receiving end of these letters. The fundamental purpose of a cease and desist letter, of course, is to allow a holder of a trademark to notify an alleged violator that there is indeed trademark infringement underway, and stipulate the trademark holder’s demands and threats if those demands are not met.
Can I Use My Name as a Trademark?
Perhaps one of the most common questions our trademark attorneys are asked is whether or not I can use my name as a trademark. This is of course not particularly surprising – entrepreneurs and small business owners very often want to brand their businesses with their own names to make the company feel more personal and in a certain way, intimate.
How to Revive An Abandoned Trademark Application
That your trademark has gone abandoned is not necessarily a fatal conclusion and the USPTO provides its applicants an opportunity to revive an abandoned trademark under certain circumstances. Like all dealings with the USPTO, form matters and there are specific procedural rules and requirements that must be met when filing a petition to revive.
TRADEMARK OPPOSITIONS: HOW TO OPPOSE A TRADEMARK AND RESPOND TO A TRADEMARK OPPOSITION COMPLAINT
A trademark opposition proceeding can be commenced by anyone with a legitimate interest in the registration of a pending trademark. A trademark opposition lawyer can help.
Trademark Litigation in the TTAB: The Likelihood of Confusion Test
Trademark litigation can be immensely costly and resource-consuming so it is critical to first evaluate the scope of the case and attempt to at least make an educated guess as to the chances of success.
Trademark Opposition Guide
Perhaps most importantly, it is critical to recognize the immense time, money and resources involved in prosecuting a trademark opposition case and one should, therefore, be very careful to make an honest assessment of the likelihood of winning before commencing suit.
Trademark Infringement? Trust Your Gut
After five long years, your food startup has done everything your doubters arrogantly predicted it wouldn’t do. It is now a multi-million dollar success story and over 10,000 stores throughout the United States sell your trademarked product, Volcano Bites, a fruit snack containing 100% real orange and pineapple juice with no artificial additives.
Trademark Oppositions: Here’s What To Do If Your Trademark Has been Opposed
Trademark Oppositions are an immensely powerful tool. If you feel that your trademark has been infringed upon by a competing party, and you catch the newly filed trademark in time, a Trademark Opposition proceeding may be your new best friend. If you are on the receiving end of a Trademark Opposition, it’s time to hire a Trademark Attorney. Trademark Opposition and You: What it Means, and What to Do You’ve taken significant steps to…
New York Seed Round Lawyer – Representing Startups During Seed Round Events
Arguably the most daunting, difficult and downright terrifying task for any startup is raising capital. Obtaining seed funding can often be a long and frustrating process but it is imperative. Having trouble raising seed capital? Want to know how to close a deal with an investor? Read on and speak with a New York Seed Round Lawyer. What is Seed Funding? Seed funding is arguably THE most important round of funding for any startup.…
DMCA Safe Harbor: An Analysis
If you operate a submission-based website where content is uploaded by third-party users without your initial vetting and approval, you should be very interested indeed in the DMCA Safe Harbors. What is a DMCA Safe Harbor? The Digital Millenium Copyright Act of 1998 (the “DMCA”) is a law which was passed in 1998 and was written with the express purpose of developing a legal framework to manage the competing interests of protecting copyright holders while…
Food Labeling Law: The Imperative For Transparency
This blog post was written by Abe Cohn and Originally Appeared on the PieShell Blog The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is charged with a variety of duties, and chief among them is its responsibility to develop and enforce food-labeling regulations for food products. The two main pieces of legislation governing these regulations are The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) and the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act. Each Act covers, of course, different areas of governance but…
Food Labeling Requirements: The FDA is Watching Carefully.
This blog post was written by Abe Cohn and Originally Appeared on Entrepreneurial Chef Magazine While you absolutely loved fruit roll ups as a child, your adult sensibilities now recognize that a healthier version would have probably served your body better and you’ve since made it your life’s mission to build an organic taffy company. Congratulations! Of course, you have a lot of work ahead of you but you recognize that the most important aspect…
Tech Thought Leaders Interview Series
CoverWallet was started by tech entrepreneurs who worked in software startups in the past, building easy to use online products for consumers and enterprises. Frustrated with how opaque, high pressure and time consuming the management of commercial insurance was, we decided to build a better experience for other business owners and a concierge service for them. 1. What’s your name and position at CoverWallet? A. Inaki Berenguer, CEO & CO-founder of Coverwallet 2.…
Artist/Producer Contracts: The Fundamentals
Music producers generally elicit and capture artists’ performances in the recording studio to produce artistically, commercially, and technically acceptable master recordings. Often times, the artist-producer relationship is laid back and casual due to the nature of the music industry and the people therein. Some artists and producers avoid explicitly discussing the details of their relationship as it can negatively influence the workflow and creative atmosphere when there is too much business and money talk. Nevertheless,…
The 4 Steps To Take If Your Song Has Been Stolen
When someone “steals” your song, it is most often a matter of copyright infringement. Copyright owners have federal statutory rights as outlined by the United States Copyright Act. In short, copyright owners have exclusive rights in their copyrighted works including the right of reproduction, distribution, public display and performance, and the right to prepare derivative works. This means only the copyright owner, such as a musician or artist, can reproduce, distribute or perform their original…
How to Form a Band (Legally): From Casual Hobby to Serious Business
Have you ever been to a musical performance and thought to yourself, “What a fun job! I wish I could play rock guitar for a living.” Did you make music with your high school buddies in your garage or your basement? Did you or your friends’ bands eventually fall apart? While some bands come and go, others grow to become professional musicians and legendary icons, selling thousands of dollars in branded merchandise, protecting and licensing…
Music Sampling and Copyright Law: What’s Legal?
With the growing popularity of hip-hop music and remix culture, sampling has become common practice among a wide variety of artists and producers looking to associate with those who have come before them. Sampling is the act of integrating sounds embodied in a pre-existing sound recording into a new musical work. As a matter of copyright law, when an artist “samples” another artist’s music, they must receive permission from the copyright owner of the sampled…
How To Value A Startup
But really, how to value your Startup? Imagine a situation in which an investor says that he’ll give you $30 million for 20 percent of your company. However, you believe your startup to be currently valued at less than $150 million. What is the investor really offering you? Pre and Post Money Valuation Investors commonly speak in terms of post-money valuation, which refers to the value of the company after a financing event. When…
Term Sheets for Startups – Everything You Need To Know
Term sheets are documents (often) drafted by attorneys, which contain the key provisions that startups and investors agree to when striking a deal. Fundamentally, term sheets stipulate the financial obligations of each party and outline the conditions of the sale of stock to investors or the sale and purchase of a company. Critically, term sheets allow the parties to identify or predict any issues that may arise before the (potentially) wasteful commitment of time, money,…
Stock Options: ISO vs. NSO
Stock options, such as the Incentive Stock Option (ISO) and the Non-Qualified Stock Option (NSO), are an important tool to incentivize employees, contractors, and consultants hired by a startup to work at their top capacity. These stock options provide workers with the right and opportunity to purchase shares in the future at the (theoretically) lower price that is set at the moment the stock is granted. Of course, the assumption here is that the company’s…
IRS Form 83b
The Basics When an individual is granted stock as compensation from his/her employer, the taxes may either be received fully at the time of grant or may be received incrementally along a vesting schedule. Naturally, the IRS considers this stock to be a form of financial gain that is subject to taxation. Under this default assumption, an individual pays taxes based on the value of stock at the time of vesting. However, under the…
Anti-circumvention: You Don’t Completely “Own” Everything That You Buy
17 U.S.C. 1201, the “anti-circumvention” provision of the Copyright Act, makes it illegal for a user of a “digital good” to access certain copyrighted information, like a computer program’s code, if the code is so written to disallow access to it. For example, if a user purchases a new smartphone that implements a measure to block access to its operating system’s code, and the user “circumvents” that measure to see the code, that user has…
First Things 1st, Copyright Doesn’t Protect Everything
Yaina Williams had an idea for a reality TV show, called “Married At 1st Sight,” where 3 different, random couples go on a 12-hour blind date, after which the TV audience selects a winning couple who then marry one another. The goal is for the couple to remain together for at least 6 months in order to win prizes at the end of it all. Williams uploaded her “Treatment” to TV Writer’s Vault, a website…
Google’s Library Project and the Decade-Long Legal Battle that Followed
Google, the often-verbed champion of the search engine, faced a lawsuit from the Author’s Guild in 2013 over Google Books’s “Library Project.” Since 2004, Google has worked with several libraries to create something of an online card catalog that, as Google proclaims, aims to make finding relevant books easier for those looking for them – “specifically, books they wouldn’t find any other way such as those that are out of print.” Naturally, this ain’t grandma’s…
The Wolf of Wall Street: Yet Another Theft?
Andrew Greene, an ex-director and head of corporate finance at Stratton Oakmont, Inc., the subject of the 2013 hit Martin Scorsese film The Wolf of Wall Street, brought suit against Paramount Pictures and others last year alleging defamation and violations of his right to privacy under the laws of New York. Greene claims that the character Nicky “Rugrat” Koskoff is an identifiable portrayal of him, and that people who have watched the movie believe that…
Hey! You! Get Off Of My (Sound)Cloud!
Early this summer it was rumored that Universal Music Group and Sony Music were preparing to file lawsuits against SoundCloud, the popular Swedish music-streaming service (based in Berlin) that over the past eight years has helped tons of budding musicians advance their careers. SoundCloud only streams user-uploaded music, which in large part is made up of original compositions from smaller artists. The problem is that a lot of these artists are DJs who use non-original,…
Wait Before You Send That Takedown Notice: Courts Demand Inquiry Into Fair Use
Back in 2007, proud mother Stephanie Lenz recorded a video of her young son happily bouncing about to Prince’s song, “Let’s Go Crazy.” The video is only 29 seconds long, but received a gigantic amount of attention when Lenz went to court over it. Universal Music Publishing Group complained to YouTube that the video infringed a copyright that Universal owns, and demanded that the video to be taken down. YouTube complied, and Lenz fought back.…
Copyright: An International Concern
On the first of September, at the request of rights holders representing Norwegian branches of United States media companies, a district court in Oslo, Norway ordered Norwegian internet service providers to block access to large file sharing websites such as The Pirate Bay. The injunctions will last for five years, and will apply to any new domain names that the companies may move to. If this story sounds old, that’s probably because these file sharing…
The Scandalous (and Intriguing) World of Trademarks
Two United States Courts of Appeals, the Fourth Circuit and the Federal Circuit, are set to examine the question of whether or not Section 2(a) of the United States Trademark Act, otherwise known as the “Lanham Act,” is in violation of the First Amendment and, therefore, unconstitutional. The section provides that the USPTO can deny or cancel a trademark on the Principal Register if it consists of “immoral, deceptive, or scandalous matter, or which may…
In The Blink Of An Eye: How Online Trademark Registration Can Pull The Rug From Under Your Feet
Two companies, Kelly Services, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Kelly”) and Creative Harbor LLC, created employment-related apps that are not entirely similar, but would operate in the same general market. Unfortunately, both companies titled their respective apps as “WorkWire.” Kelly, who had not filed “WorkWire” for trademark protection, tried to submit WorkWire to the Apple App Store, failed, tried again, and succeeded. Two hours before the App Store released WorkWire for public purchase, however, Creative…
The JDate v. JSwipe Saga, Part 4: Until Next Time
Sparks Networks (owner of JDate) has suffered some significant losses in the last few years, but it’s difficult to point the finger at companies like JSwipe when Sparks simply hasn’t kept up with the times. Unsurprisingly, most people would rather not pay for online dating services when there are so many that are free to use. JDate could have ventured into the world of ad-based revenue with a free app, and, prior to 2014, they…
The JDate v. JSwipe Saga, Part 3: Old But New (The Patent Case)
Sparks Networks, owner of JDate.com, isn’t just suing JSwipe over a trademark or the letter “J.” There is a controversial and familiar patent issue in the midst as well. Back in 2011, Sparks sued Zoosk, OkCupid, and 2RedBeans (a dating website for Chinese-Americans) for infringement of the same patent at issue here. None of the 2011 cases went to final judgment, which presumably means that they all settled, bolstering the views of those who see…
The JDate v. JSwipe Saga, Part 2: The Trademark Issue
JDate’s lawsuit against JSwipe has created a massive buzz in the world of internet news. The consensus among commentators is that Sparks Networks, the owner of JDate, is claiming an exclusive right to use the letter “J” in reference to services targeting the Jewish community. Consensus is not always completely correct, however. Among Sparks’ 8 allegations against JSwipe is “False Designation of Origin,” which is when somebody uses a company name that is likely to…
The JDate v. JSwipe Saga, Part 1: JDate Swipes Left
JSwipe, the increasingly popular tinder-like app for the Jewish community, has attracted over 375,000 users since its launch last April. Unfortunately, a quick rise to the top is often welcomed with a lawsuit. Sparks Networks, Inc., owner of the well known online dating service JDate, filed a complaint against JSwipe in November alleging (among other things) trademark and patent infringement. The case is still in its early stages, and is set to resume this month.…
Smart Contracts: A Digital Middleman
“Smart contracts” are digitized, self-executing agreements that may reduce or, eventually, eliminate the need for courts to enforce certain agreements. Now in the early stages of development, the idea has been around since 1994. Two start-ups, Codius and Ethereum, are working on systems that aim to make smart contracts a reality. Smart contracts are more than a standard “auto-pay” function. Through the use of cryptocurrency, or decentralized currency, Codius and Ethereum seek to significantly lower…